Tuesday, June 01, 2004

The link above is a great perspective on what's changed between pre-war and post-war Baghdad - both the good and the bad. A friend of mine, an intelligent fellow with whom I often disagree, once justified the Iraq War by stating that freedom was the ultimate human good, not security. I was flabbergasted by the idea that there was an "ultimate human good", but he seemed to think it was beyond question, "unless you're a complete moral relativist". My relativism aside, obviously there are quite a few people in Iraq who consider their security at least equal to their freedom. The same can clearly be said of America, otherwise the Patriot Act would not exist.

Now, there are cases where things should be done for someone's own good whether they like it or not - suicide prevention for example. Nevertheless, there is a cost associated with every action, and the situation in Iraq did not merit the monetary cost to American taxpayers, nor the cost in human life of American servicemen, nor the cost in security and basic services to Iraqis. The Pentagon and the White House failed to conceive of an adequate reconstruction plan for Iraq, and I for one would like to hear an admission and an apology.

On a personal note, I am deeply saddened by the recent suicide of Michael Buonauro, writer of Marvelous Bob (an excellent work of fiction available online) and co-creator of the webcomic Dr. Lobster/Wrench Farm. I extend my deepest sympathies to all those who knew him personally (I did not) and those who have merely admired and enjoyed his work (which I have). His humor and writing will be long remembered by his many fans.